The Eagles' best early contenders for each major NFL postseason award

As much as we love summer, family vacationing, and the joy of watching a contending Phillies team, things just aren't the same without our Philadelphia Eagles. We're certain we aren't the only ones who noticed. If you've been asking yourself why NBA Summer League Basketball is fun but doesn't quench your thirst, there's most certainly a reason.

We can assure you that you are missing your Birds. Raise those hands if you agree.

Mandatory minicamp really wasn't that long ago, but it feels like we haven't seen the guys in about five months and two Sundays. Well, have no fear. All of that is about to change. Veterans and rookies report to training camp on July 23rd. Once they do that, you'll be seeing them constantly. It will be full speed ahead to the regular season.

Our hope (and we assume yours as well) is the campaign ends in February at football's biggest game. Forget last season's collapse. Forget the drama we heard about. There isn't anyone at the NovaCare Complex who isn't thinking of the Vince Lombardi Trophy

Early theories suggest this team will be very good. There are questions about depth, but there are also stars at every position. Success will bring team and individual accolades. Don't be shocked if wins (and the postseason awards) come in bunches and when the following Eagles are part of the conversations for some of football's top individual honors.

MVP: Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts was the favorite to win the MVP trophy in 2022 before being injured late in the campiagn. He was also the fav after Philly's 10-1 start last season. In both instances, he came up short when we arrived at the regular season's finish line.

2024 brings his fourth season as the starter. This time, he shares the backfield with Saquon Barkley. That should reduce the amount of punishment he has taken and ensure he's minimized the damage inflicted at season's end.

An upright and healthy Jalen Hurts playing in all 17 games means trouble for the competition. It will also strengthen an MVP campaign.

Offensive Player of the Year: Saquon Barkley

In consecutive seasons, Miles Sanders and D'Andre Swift have catapulted themselves to Pro Bowl seasons while running behind the Eagles offensive line. Now, we get a taste of Saquon Barkley in Eagles Green. Yeah... We're getting Marshall Faulk vibes here.

With Saquon's ability as both a rusher and receiver, the OPOY award is certainly within reach. He'll be featured in Kellen Moore's offense, and we are excited about what's coming.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jalen Carter

Jalen Carter hit the rookie wall in 2023, but before that happened, he provided wow moments constantly. And now we think he'll take a step forward. The rest of the NFL is on notice.

Fletcher Cox is gone. It's up to the young guys now. We are not expecting disappointments.

Carter was in the conversation about who might win the defensive rookie of the year award last season. Being recognized as a defensive MVP isn't impossible if he shows consistency.

Special Teams Player of the Year: Jake Elliott

Jake Elliott is probably going to lead the Eagles in individual scoring. He's probably going to bang a few big kicks through the uprights as he does every season. If he authors a game-winner or two and enjoys some special teams player of the week consideration, he'll be in the mix for some hardware at the end of the 2024 season.

Breakout Player of the Year: Nolan Smith

While 'breakout player of the year' trophies aren't official, they're certainly something people talk about, and all eyes are on Nolan Smith this season. Much is expected of the second of Philly's pair of first-round picks in 2023, and guess what?

We expect fireworks, both on the field and in the locker room.

Comeback Player of the Year: Avonte Maddox

Avonte Maddox is pretty good when he's healthy, but as you know, he's never healthy. He's missed 21 regular-season games over the past two seasons alone.

He'll have to make the Eagles roster if this will even be possible, but we are starting to think he might be good enough to make the cut. If he does, there are whispers that he could transition to safety, and in a rotation featuring Sydney Brown, Reed Blankenship, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a respectable comeback season might be possible.

We won't lie though. While he might easily win the 'Eagles Comeback of the Year' designation, we see no scenario where he'd be recognized as such league-wide.

You see how they screwed Brandon Graham a couple of years ago, don't you? We still can't believe Geno Smith won over him.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Will Shipley

With Saquon Barkley on the roster, we can all but guarantee there won't be an equal distribution of carries among Eagles tailbacks, but he'll be spared occasionally. That's where we expect to see a healthy dose of Will Shipley, but the former Clemson star can also help out as a returner on special teams. We'll see if the Eagles share that way of thinking.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Quinyon Mitchell

After drafting Quinyon Mitchell in the first round of the most recent NFL Draft, we're assuming the Eagles didn't make that decision so the youngster can take a seat. No one should be shocked if he's starting opposite of Darius Slay come Week 1 in Brazil.

While we aren't ready to place him in Sauce Gardner's class, we see the potential for him to be great. There's room top grow, and practicing accross from A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will certainly get him prepared for game days.